Supporting strut



June 13, 1939. Pl A. SKINNER 2,162,131

SUPPORTING STRUT Filed June 16, 1938' 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 13, 1939. P, A. SKINNER SUPPORTING STRUT Filed June 16, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 aroma;

SUPPORTING STRUT Percy A. Skinner, Ionia, lllch. Application June 16, 1938, Serial No. 214,126

5 Claims.

This invention relates to anew and improved supporting strut designed primarily as a part of the equipment for a house trailer, but it is to be understood that a strut in accordance with this invention is for use in any connection for which it may be found applicable.

The invention has for its object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a foldable and extendable supporting strut adapted to be attached to the bottom of the trailer and whereby when a set of three or four struts are carried by the trailer the struts are capable of being extended and positioned for supporting the trailer when the latter'is stationary for housekeeping use; for removing tension from off the sprin s of the trailer when the latter is stationary and used for housekeeping; for making the -floor of the trailer rigid when the latter is employed for the purpose aforesaid; and to prevent the usual swaying and teetering of the'trailer due to persons walking inside of the latter when the trailer is supported by the struts and employed for housekeeping.

Further objects of the invention are to provide in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a strut of the class referred to which is simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable, compact, adjustable, readily assembled, quickly installed with respect to a trailer, conveniently moved toand from trailer supporting position,

and inexpensive to manufacture.

To the above ends essentially and to others which may hereinafter appear, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be more specifically referred to and illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications may be resorted to which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a house trailer showing supporting struts, in accordance with this invention connected to the bottom thereof,

Figure 2 is an end elevation of a house trailer showing supporting struts in accordance with this invention attached thereto,

Figure 3 is an elevation of the strut when extended,

Figure 4 is a section on line l-4, Flgure 3,

Figure 5 is an elevation of the strut when extended looking at right angles to the showing of Figure 3,

6 is a section on line 6-6, Figure 3,

(c1. sis-s54) Figure 7 is a section on line 1-1, Figure 3,

Figure 8 is a fragmentarysectional view n line 1-4, Figure 5,

Figure 9 is a front elevation with the strut folded,

Figure 10 is a section on line ll-ll, Figure 9, Figure 11 is a side elevation, broken away illustrating a modified form of means for releasably securing the strut folded in inactive position, and

Figure 12 is a section on line l2--l2, Figure 11. 10

With reference to the drawings, I generally indicates a housing trailer provided with a bottom or floor 2. The wheels of trailer I are indicated at l.

A supporting strut, in accordance with this,

invention is generally indicated at l and includa an upper section 5 and a lower section t into which the section 5 telescopes.

The section 5 consists of a head plate 'I which is adapted to be anchored to the lower face of .D

porting post it which, when in supporting posimo tion, abuts the lower face of base 9 and has its upper end arranged between the heads It. Post I in proximity to its upper end is formed with; a diametrically disposed slot l5 and extending through the latter is a pin I carried by the sides ll of the member Ill. The latter and the plate I provide. what may be termed a head structure. The slot IS .in connection with the pin it pivotally and slidably connects post It tothe member ll.

The section 8 includes a foot piece il, to the upper face of whichis flxedly secured thereon the base ll of a U-shaped member is having its sides indicated at 20.. The base ll of member is is anchored to the foot piece II by a pair of spaced horizontally aligned rivets 2| having their upper ends upset as at 22 to provide stops for a purpose to be referred to. The members II and II are of like form but member III is inverted with respect to the position of the member is. The latter and the foot-piece ll constitutes what may imity to its lower end with apair of diametrically a opposed slots "through which extends a pin 2|. The latter also extends through the sides 23 of member l3 and has its ends upset as at 23. The slot 2| in connection with the pin 23 pivotally and slidably connects the standard 23 to the member l3. When the standard 23 is in the position shown in Figures 3 and 5, and which is its active position, the lower end of the standard is arranged between the heads 22 and these heads act to prevent the shifting of standard 23 relative to member N. Thepost ll telescopes the standard 23 and is of the length desired. The post H is capable of being adjusted lengthwise of the standard 23 and after adjustment is clamped in adjusted position by a mean's'to be referred to and which is carried by the'upper end of the standard 23.

The upper end of standard 23 is formed with a pair of diametrically opposed offset arms 21 and also with an upstanding offset arm 23'which is arranged between and equally spaced from the arms 21. Formed integral with the top ;of the arms 21 is a stationary grip 29 provided with an opening 30 through which passes the post I. The grip 29 consists of a wide part 3| and a narrow handle part 32. The opening 33 is formed centrally of the part 3|. The grip 23 slightly extends'at an upward inclination with respect to the horizontal. Arranged between the arms 21 and engaging with the top of the arm 23 is a spring controlled clamping member 33. The arm 23 forms a fulcrum for the member 33 and the latter is formed with an opening 34 substantially in alignment with the opening 33. The member 33 is also provided with a hand grip part 35.

. o Fixed to the grip 23 and to the member 33, as

well as being interposed therebetween is a coiled controlling spring 36. The spring 33 normally maintains the member 33 in clamping engagement relative to post I4, and in this connection attention is directed to Figure 8. The wall of opening 31 constitutes a gripping means for engaging the post it as is shown in Figure 8, to arrest the lowering movement of the post H when the strut is in the position shown in Figures 3 and 5.

The strut is capable of being contracted and extended and further capable of being folded to a parallel position with respect to the bottom or floor 2 of the trailer and in this connection attention is directed to Figure 9. When the strut is in the position shown in Figure 9 the post i4 is extended into the standard 23 to a point near the member IS. The strut is releasablysecured in the position shown in Figure 9 by a pair of oppositely disposed spring clamps 33, 33 secured to opposite sides of a hanger 40 by a holdfast means 4|. The hanger is secured and depends from the bottom or floor 2 of the trailer. The springs 33, 39, when the strut is in the position shown in Figure'9, frictionally engage with opposite sides of the standard 23 and releasably secure the post H and standard 23 in parallel spaced relation to the bottom of the trailer.

The upset ends/l3 of the holdfast means i2, as aforesaid, constitute stops which function to arrest the shifting movement of the post l4 when the latter is in supporting position. When in supporting position the post ll abuts the lower face of the base 9 of the member ID and is arranged between the stops l3. Under such conditions the post It is prevented from shifting on its pivot with respect to the member It.

When the struts are employed in connection with the trailer, a set of four is used, one strut being arranged in proximity to a corner of the bottom or floor 2 of the trailer. When the struts are in inactive position the post It and standard 23 are moved to a parallel spaced position with respect to the bottom or floor 2. Each post and its associated standard is folded rearwardly to the position shown in Figure 9 for the purpose of the standard engaging the clamps 33, 33. Each pair of clamps is arranged rearwardly of the head plate 1. When the strut is folded, the foot piece I1 is suspended from the rear end of the standard and in this connection attention is directed to Figure 9. When the strut is to be used it is shifted to the position shown in Figures 3 and 4 with the clamping member "in inactive position, and extended so that the foot piece I 'I will seat on the ground. When the foot piece I I has been seated, the clamping member is released whereby the spring 33 will act to shift member 33 to the position shown in Figure 8 whereby post It will be clamped from movement. When it is desired to shift the strut from active to inactive position the clamping member 33 is released to enable the lowering of the post I4 and which will permit the latter to be moved to the dotted line position shown in Figure 4. The slot l permits of the post It being lowered relative to the standard 23 when the strut is in the position shown in Figures 3 and 5. After the post has been lowered it is swung on its pivot to the position shown in Figure 9 and which carries the standard 23 therewith. Standard 23 is subsequently engaged with the clamps 33, 33 such as shown in Figure 9 whereby the strut will be held in inactive position. the position shown in Figure 9, the member I! will swing on pin 25 and assume the position shown in Figure 9 whereby the foot piece I'I will be suspended from standard 23.

With reference to Figures 11 and 12 a modified form of means for releasably securing the strut folded in inactive position is shown. The said means consists of a pair of spaced sidewise parallel securers 42 in the form of metallic straps of like form disposed in lengthwise relation to the bottom or floor of the trailer and spaced the desired distance from and aligned with the memher I 0. Each securer consists of a pair of end portions 43, 44 disposed in parallel planes connected together by 9. depending inclined intermediate portion 45 which disposes portion 43 above portion 44. When the strut is folded to inactive position the foot piece I1 is slid onto and releasably supported by the portions 44 of the securers and with the member i9 relative to and arranged between the said portions 44. Each portion 43 is secured against the lower face of the bottom of the trailer by the holdfast means 46 between the said portions 34.

What I claim is:

1. In a lengthwise adjustable supporting strut for trailer bodies, a head structure adapted to be fixed to the trailer body, a foot structure for mounting on the ground, a supporting post, a slidable hinged connection between the upper terminal portion of the post and said head structure, a tubular standard slidably mounted on, lengthwise adjustable with respect to and projecting *from the lower end of the post, a hand grip coupled with and spaced from the upper end of the standard, said post passing through said hand grip, a spring controlled clutching lever coacting with the post for latching the standard in extended relation with respect to the post, said As the standard 23 moves to lever being arranged between the hand grip and 76 the upper end of the standard, means at the upper end of the standard providing a fulcrum for one end of said lever, and a slldable hinge connection between the lower terminal portion of the standard and said foot structure.

2. In a lengthwise adjustable supporting strut for trailer bodies, a head structure adapted to be fixed to the trailer body, a foot structure for mounting on the ground, a supporting post, a slidable hinged connection between the upper terminal portion of the post and said head structure, a tubular standard slidably mounted on, lengthwise adjustable with respect to and projecting from the lower end of the post, a. hand grip coupled with and spaced from the upper end of the standard, said post passing through a said hand grip, a spring controlled clutching lever coacting with the post for latching the standard in extended relation with respect to the post, said lever being arranged between the hand grip and the upper end of the standard, and means at the upper end of the standard providing a fulcrum for one end of said lever, the said hand grip being coupled with the standard by a pair of oppositely disposed arms integral with the upper end of the standard and said grip and offset with respect to the standard, said fulcrum forming means consisting of an air integral with and offset with respect to the upper end of the standard and disposed at right angles to said arms; and a slidable hinge connection between the lower terminal portion of the standard and said foot structure.

3. In a lengthwise adjustable supporting strut for trailer bodies, a head structure adapted to be fixed to the trailer body, a foot structure for mounting on the ground, a supporting post, a slidable hinged connection between the upper terminal portion of the post and said head structure, a tubular standard slidably mounted on, lengthwise adjustable with respect to and projecting from the lower end of the post, a hand grip coupled with and spaced from the upper end of the standard, said post passing through said hand grip, a spring controlled clutching lever coacting with the post for latching the standard in extended relation with respect to the post, said lever being arranged between the hand grip and the upper end of the standard, means at the upper end of the standard providing a fulcrum for one end of said lever, and means adapted to be fixed to the bottom of the trailer for latching the standard and post in parallel relation to said bottom for retaining the strut in inactive position, and a slidable hinge connection between the lower terminal portion of the standard and said foot structure.

4. A lengthwise adjustable supporting strut for and adapted to be slidably hinged to the bottom of atrailer, said strut including a supporting post, a tubular standard slidably mounted on, adjustable relative to and capable of being extended from the lower end of said post, a pair of arms integral at one end with and diametrically opposed with respect to the upper end of the standard, a hand grip integral, intermediate its ends, with the other ends of said arms and encompassing said post, a spring controlled clutching lever coacting with said post for releasably maintaining said standard in extended relation with respect to the post, said lever being arranged between the upper end of the standard and said hand grip, disposed between said arms and encompassing said post, an arm integral with the upper end of the standard, arranged below one end of said lever and constituting a fulcrum for the latter, and a slidable hinge connection between the lower terminal portion of the standard and said foot structure.

5. A lengthwise adjustable supporting strut for and adapted to be slidably hinged to the bottom of a trailer, said strut including a supporting post, a tubular standard slidably mounted on,

adjustable relative to and capable of being extended from the lower end of said post, a pair of arms integral at one end with and diametrically opposed with respect to the upper end of the standard, a hand grip integral, intermediate its ends, with the other ends of said arms and encompassing said post, a spring controlled clutching lever coaeting with said post for releasably maintaining said standard in extended relation with respect to the post, said lever being arranged between the upper end of the standard and said hand grip, disposed between said arms and encompassing said post, and an arm integral with the upper end of the standard, arranged below one end of said lever and constituting a fulcrum for the latter, said post being disposed between the corresponding ends of the said hand grip and lever, the controlling spring for the lever being arranged between the latter and the hand grip, and a foot structure connected to the standard. PERCY A. SKINNER. 

